The Bellagio Hotel & Casino was added to the Las Vegas Strip in 1998...
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1180362lo.jpg)
...built by hotelier Steve Wynn to evoke the Mediterranean area of Lake Como, Italy.
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350427lo.jpg)
While the Bellagio may be best known for its fountain show, I'm drawn to its 14,000-square-foot Conservatory, where immersive, botanical experiences are installed for each season.
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/20230430_123120lo.jpg)
Located under a 50-foot glass ceiling, accented by copper that's been oxidized green (called verdigris)...
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/20230430_121935lo.jpg)
...the displays in the first part of the year are themed for Chinese New Year, spring (which is what's running right now), and patriotic Memorial Day in May.
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/20230430_122509lo.jpg)
It's modeled after the formal gardens of the Italian Renaissance, which means fountains and structured strolling paths that take you through the entire area and make sure you see everything.
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/20230430_122023lo.jpg)
It's incredibly popular, so the biggest challenge is working your way around all the couples getting their portraits taken and visitors taking selfies.
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/20230430_122233lo.jpg)
This time around, the central pavilion's 20-foot-tall "Tunnel of Love" design was a dead giveaway to the installation's spring theme: Garden of Love.
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/20230430_122412lo.jpg)
Ed Libby, Director of Conservatories for MGM Resorts International (which owns and operates the Bellagio), works with a team of design and a horticulture staffers to try to closely follow the Tournament of Roses guidelines for using natural materials.
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350356lo.jpg)
That means a pair of lovebird swans...
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350344lo.jpg)
...real yellow daffodils...
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350365lo.jpg)
...both solo and in clusters...
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350347lo.jpg)
...and other spring blooms in a myriad of colors cascading out of Cupid's arms...
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350346lo.jpg)
...set against a backdrop of white wisteria trees.
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350407lo.jpg)
Orange-dotted topiaries are meant to evoke good health...
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350383lo.jpg)
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350376lo.jpg)
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350361lo.jpg)
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350396lo.jpg)
...while a 14-foot-tall sun god (is it the Roman god Sol or the Greek god Helios?) smiles down above a floral "B" for Bellagio.
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350387lo.jpg)
The lower hedges surround all the displays with explosions of red geranium...
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350383lo.jpg)
...salmon geranium...
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350376lo.jpg)
...purple and yellow tulips...
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350361lo.jpg)
...and pink "bubblegum" tulips.
![](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/l93/pandisoo/P1350354lo.jpg)
They even pumped in their own fragrance this time around.
Always worth a stop, and thankfully free to visit.
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Beautiful! Thankyou
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